Newest Shopping Treasures

By Chris DanielsJune 10th, 2013

Newest Shopping Treasures

They named it in honor of a woman who during WWII was a pioneer in the world of re-purposed and recycled couture.

Part of the fun of returning to Provincetown each year is the discovery of new shops and galleries that have opened like lively spring blooms. This year is no exception, and it includes some real beauties!

The Trevor Mikula retail gallery at 376 Commercial Street is an offbeat, funky, fun spot, which on a recent Friday was a magnet for groups of visitors. Trevor is a self-taught, contemporary artist from Nashville. He creates paintings filled with whimsy and style, often populated with animals -- including his own Boston terrier, Moe -- and seemingly mundane objects like takeout boxes and trucks. Many of his smaller pieces start around $125, since he wants even the modest art collector to be able to bring home a memento of their visit. He also shows and sells sculptural pieces created by fellow artists, such as hand-carved and painted wood "balloons", and engaging green-eyed bear heads, each with a different expression! Don't miss "Peter Cottontail's Boyfriend," currently on display in his window!

Those with an interest in eclectic selections of estate antiques and fine arts from the 17th to 21st century, as well as paintings and prints created in Provincetown from the last 100 years, will want to visit James R. Bakker Antiques at 359 Commercial Street (next to the Harbor Lounge). Mr. Bakker, a past President of PAAM and former Executive Director of the Pilgrim Monument/Provincetown Museum, is a long-time, well-loved member of the community and a highly experienced auctioneer, private art dealer, appraiser, consultant and independent curator, who opened his first shop in the late 1960s!

Women of all ages, sizes and genders will be entranced by Mabel D. Orr, a new designer resale boutique owned by sisters Heidi Weeks and Muffin Ray Iacono. This inviting jewel-box of a shop is the culmination of a 15-year-long dream for the Binghamton New York natives. Muffin has lived here for the better part of 23 years, while Heidi recently moved here full-time with the opening of the shop. They named it in honor of a woman who during WWII was a pioneer in the world of re-purposed and recycled couture. Heidi, Muffin and staff Patti and Amanda carry on that tradition, personally selecting the one-of-a-kind, feminine fashions they sell. It's a friendly, welcoming environment where a gal can indulge in classic and beautiful style for a reasonable price! They cater to sizes 6 to 20, and are happy to help you choose the right piece to suit your style or occasion. Sit on their lovely settee to try on shoes, enjoy the Vivian Dickson paintings and charming Victorian-style dressing rooms, and meet store mascot Annabel, a sweet 17-year old terrier who likes to pose in the display window! It's an oasis of calm and beauty.

When you're done choosing new clothes, you can head up to the Beach Boutique in the Aquarium Marketplace (205 Commercial), which offers up jewelry to match your outfit, Avon products to care for and glam up your face, scented candles to sweeten your home, and gifts created by local artists.

Want to bring home the gift of acclaimed local/regional artists at an affordable price? Check out Cape Art Tiles, owned by Cid Bolduc and Francesca Cerutti. They reproduce artist images on ceramic tile, glass cutting boards, clocks, coasters and more, individually created at their Truro location from materials made in the USA. Their collections of artist images include John Dowd, Michele Kennedy and Cid Bolduc and photographer Sally Brophy.

Gardeners and their friends should stop atBotanica, 374 Commercial Street, where they can pick up heirloom (aka non-GMO!) vegetable and flower seeds, new prints by Midge Battelle and others and floral-motif bags by Kent Stetson. Owners Mark Petteruti, a long-time horticulturist and garden designer, and Robert Martin, a retired lawyer, are fulfilling a lifelong dream with their lovely shop and eclectic collection of gifts; they love what they do and it shows.

Chris Daniels is a writer, photographer and office-guru-about-town who shares her life with a bossy cat and “Damon, the Dog With the Toy”

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